Yesterday, the Consulates of Mexico in the United States began a new program. They will now be able to issue copies of birth certificates registered in Mexico. To obtain a certified copy, Mexican nationals should go to the nearest consulate and present an official proof of identity, fill out an application, and provide their Clave Única de Registro de Población (CURP) – if available. Each certified copy will cost $13.00 dollars.

It’s that time again: re-registration for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended TPS for El Salvador. TPS El Salvador beneficiaries can now apply to re-register. The re-registration period began January 7, 2015 and will run through March 9, 2015. Failure to re-register may have severe immigration consequences, so best to re-register as soon as possible.

Additionally, certain individuals who have never applied for TPS but qualify may be eligible to apply for late initial filing for TPS.

On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced his executive order, which will bring relief to many undocumented individuals in the United States. Many see Obama’s executive order as a step in the right direction. However, many others don’t see it that way. This past week seventeen states filed a federal lawsuit against President Obama arguing that he violated the “Take Care Clause” of the U.S. Constitution and that the executive order unlawfully placed new burdens on state budgets. The man leading the lawsuit is Attorney General Greg Abbott of Texas, who will take his position as governor of Texas in January. The White House responded to the suit by arguing that President Obama’s executive actions are within his legal authority.

The lawsuit is not surprising. In 2012, when Obama initially announced his executive action for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), he was met with criticism. Legal experts argued that President Obama’s executive action was within his legal authority. Subsequently, Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit arguing that DACA was an abuse of authority. His lawsuit was dismissed on procedural grounds.

President Obama’s executive actions will allow certain parents of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to seek deferred action. Deferred action is not a pathway to lawful permanent residency or citizenship. It is merely a discretionary determination to defer a removal action of an individual. Deferred action allows individuals to remain in the United States without fear of removal as long as they fulfill certain requirements. It also allows them to seek employment authorization.

Parents aren’t the only ones who will benefit from the executive order. Individuals who previously failed to qualify for DACA because they were 31 years of age or older on June 15, 2012 will now be able to qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The executive action will also allow individuals who have a lawful permanent resident spouse or parent to apply for a provisional waiver in the United States. These can be considered small victories that will help a lot of families in the United States.

As the states battle with the federal government, one thing remains the same: Obama’s executive order does not solve our broken immigration system. The executive and legislative branches know this. The battle for immigration reform has dragged on for years and will most likely continue through 2015. But at least for now, Obama’s executive actions will allow many families to breathe a little easier.

Tonight, millions of undocumented parents are able to breathe a little easier thanks to President Obama’s executive action. Parents are not the only ones who will benefit. The new memorandum has also expanded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to include individuals who previously failed to meet certain requirements. Below are the facts of what we know so far:

PARENTS

Must have continuously resided in the U.S. since before January 1, 2010;

Must be a parent of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident;

Must be physically present in the United States on November 20, 2014 and at the time of requesting deferred action;

Must have no lawful status on November 20, 2014;

Must not be an enforcement priority; and

Present no other factors that make will make the approval of deferred action inappropriate.

The individual will be eligible to apply for work authorization. The fee for employment authorization and biometrics fee will be $465.

An individual currently in removal proceedings or with an outstanding order of removal may qualify.

EXPANSION OF DACA

DACA eligible if entered the United States before the age of 16. This means that it does not matter how old you were in June 2012.

DACA will be extended for three years.

DACA initial date of entry will be changed from June 15, 2007 to January 1, 2010.

It’s almost the end of the year and it looks as if immigration reform will not happen this year. While we wait for change, I will try to post more updates and stories related to immigration and international law.

It seems that the Mexican drug cartels are getting creative in ways to launder their money to Mexico. Here’s an interesting article on how they tried to get away with their scheme: “Drugs, Cash, Luxury Goods, and Maternity Wear” by Jamila Trindle.

The Department of Homeland Security is being accused of smuggling children. The accuser is a judge from Texas who wrote an order explaining there have been various cases where agents deliver children who are caught crossing the border illegally. From 2010 to 2012 the percentage of children caught crossing rose 81 percent.

Obama put up the DREAMER Act, which relates to these children who are brought to the U.S. Now the DREAMERS are asking for their parents to not be eligible for deportation. In the sense that deportation is immoral that ends up separating families.

The judge from Texas said the DHS is breaking the law when it is suppose to enforce it. He said that the parents of these children did not care about the decision of leaving their children behind. But what happens to those lonesome children trying to find their families? They are left with ‘’coyotes’’ that often are members of drug cartels. That is another point that the Texas judge points out on where he accuses these DHS agents to be helping drug cartels in delivering these children. The DHS however is taking in the ‘’coyotes’’ or smugglers into custody but is sending the children to the U.S. destination where their undocumented parents live.

This is a gray line that the DHS is facing. On one hand they are apprehending the smugglers and on the other hand they are sending undocumented children to their undocumented parents. The U.S. carries a heavy load of immigration issues they need to face in this upcoming year.

Now that the fight on an immigration reform is basically done for the year, immigration advocates keep the flame on shutting down ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) offices in Washington D.C.

Protesters were chanting and standing with posters that said ‘‘what do me want? Shut down ICE!’’ Some of them even had their hands chained. They were pressuring Obama on the deportation policies he has followed throughout his presidency. Advocates are not happy with their families with the inaction taken by the agency.

Advocates also pointed out that some ‘’DREAMERS’’ are being deported. This means the policies and laws created are not being followed.

Law states that it needs to have at least 400,000 immigrants deported and 32,000-captured daily and ICE is in for the enforcement. Immigrant advocates have been blocking deportation buses for the past months. This 2013 ICE might come up short of the 400,000 stated by law.

Despite a failed year for an immigration reform, some people still believe the fight will not cease in the upcoming year. That is the case for Simon Rosenberg, the founder of the New Democrat Network (NDN). Rosenberg expressed his thoughts on this issue and said Republicans cannot face away from it. The senate has looked supportive towards the immigration reform bill by passing it with 68 votes. The House has not showed much tolerance toward this issue since their last passed immigration related bill dates back to 2005.

Rosenberg thinks the rejection of immigration reform is due to the new Republicans in the House of Representatives who are not familiar with the immigration spectrum. He believes Republicans need time to build their knowledge and a strong stand point that can lead them somewhere. Since 2005 the immigration has been a common topic among representatives.

A deal is bound to happen due to the interaction between Democrats and Republican representatives who are working on taking in and out policies in order to fit each others view points. As policies are interchanged, a senate bill is mostly out of the equation but is serves as a plat form for a house bill to be promoted into a vote.

With days left for any legislative action to be made by Speaker Boehner immigration advocates are taking GOP offices across Washington D.C. They are leading this peaceful movement to express their inconformity with the conservative party’s inaction. According to twitter live feed from activists and immigration groups in Washington D.C. more than 1,000 immigrants are taking part on these office walk-ins.

Crowds gather in congress and shout saying, ‘’ WE SHALL OVERCOME!’’ are heard all through the building halls. The offices that are being walked into are filled with immigrants praying for all of the families that have been affected by the immigration policies in this country.

Immigration advocates have been taking radical steps for their message to get across. These past few weeks we have seen human road blockades not allowing for deportation buses to proceed their ways. Immigrant advocates have been arrested but their goal will be reached only with a cumulative effort.